CVE-2014-7714 in ibon
Summary
by MITRE
The ibon (aka tw.net.pic.mobi) application 3.2.1 for Android does not verify X.509 certificates from SSL servers, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof servers and obtain sensitive information via a crafted certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7714 affects the ibon application version 3.2.1 for Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data integrity and confidentiality. The flaw specifically impacts the certificate verification process, which is fundamental to establishing trust in secure communications between mobile applications and remote servers.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the application's SSL/TLS stack handling, where certificate validation is either completely bypassed or inadequately enforced. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in secure communications. When an Android application fails to properly verify SSL certificates, it essentially removes the cryptographic assurance that data transmitted between the client and server remains private and authentic. Attackers can leverage this weakness by presenting maliciously crafted certificates to establish fraudulent connections that the application accepts without proper verification, effectively enabling man-in-the-middle attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it allows attackers to manipulate communication channels and potentially access sensitive user information. Mobile applications that rely on SSL/TLS for securing user data, financial transactions, or personal communications become vulnerable to this class of attack. The attack vector follows the ATT&CK framework's T1041 technique for data encryption for exfiltration, where adversaries exploit weak certificate validation to gain unauthorized access to protected information. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for applications handling personal data, financial information, or authentication credentials, as it undermines the fundamental security guarantees that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with the broader category of trust management failures in mobile applications, where developers often overlook the critical importance of proper certificate validation. The attack scenario typically involves an attacker positioned between the vulnerable application and its target server, capable of intercepting and modifying communications. This vulnerability is classified as a certificate pinning failure, which can be addressed through proper implementation of certificate validation mechanisms, including checking certificate chains, verifying certificate authorities, and implementing appropriate certificate pinning strategies. Organizations should implement comprehensive security testing including SSL/TLS certificate validation checks to prevent such vulnerabilities from affecting their mobile applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from application developers and security teams, focusing on implementing robust certificate validation mechanisms that adhere to industry standards and best practices. The remediation approach should include proper SSL/TLS configuration that validates certificate chains against trusted certificate authorities, implements certificate pinning where appropriate, and ensures that all certificate verification processes are thoroughly tested. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous certificate behavior and potential man-in-the-middle attacks. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in mobile applications, ensuring that proper cryptographic practices are maintained throughout the application development lifecycle.